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Baptism


I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God. 
~ John 1:29-34

Here he comes, cousin, kinsman,
the one who even as a child
gave me breath and hope
to see beyond the stones and stars
to a deeper, higher way.

Playmate of my childhood
those times of visitation of
our mothers, starting
even in the womb.
I leapt at his approach.

And here he comes again,
walking, purposeful,
his face, his gaze
turned right on me.

I rise from where I bend
over the newly baptized
and look him full
in his shining face.
I know why he has come.

But can it be? Can he,
the one who showed me grace
now come and bend
to these waters to be plunged
and have his sins expunged?

He knows no sin! I know!
I see into his heart at last.
How can he come to me
to be cleansed? Oh no!

But he walks on, says yes,
I come to you. It must be so.
And so we step together
into that waiting pool.
I see him sink, then rise.

And now! The heavens burst
with majesty and light!
And from the center of the sky
a dove flies down and lights
on his bejeweled head.

And now a voice
that thunders in its peace
says, “Here he is! My Son!”
Do what he says!”



January 3, 2014 — Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus


This was the first poem I wrote, even before starting the Spiritual Exercises, when I was planning to begin and knew enough about Ignatian meditation to put myself in the scene. I was John the Baptist.
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Comments

  1. JacqueApril 14, 2018 at 12:24 PM

    Keep it up! These works need to be shared. It is selfish to keep them to yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. paintingbythelakeApril 15, 2018 at 4:49 AM

    Carol, Carol! This particular poem speaks to me so deeply. I am sitting alone in a cabin high on a mountain with rain falling outside and you brought Him right here beside me. I cannot wait to see what else He sends through you. A gift is simply that, Him flowing through you, so you can just step back and let it flow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownApril 22, 2018 at 8:40 AM

    So glad you are sharing these. They will bear fruit for others. Your gift is a blessing.
    Laura Steltenpohl

    ReplyDelete

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